Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books Gets a New Look for Richard Moss’s “Age of Empires”
- GDC Awards: All the Winners from 1996 to Today
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wins “Game of the Year” at 2025-2026 GDC Awards
- Silent Hill, Dragon Quest, Skyrim, and More Announced as Finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) – Yarn Spinner (2026)
- The History Of The Word “Metroidvania” And How It Spread – A Critical Hit (2025)
- Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment – Bloomberg (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history – Design Room (2025)
- In 2005, games started rewiring our brains – The AV Club (2025)
Author: John Scalzo
Hideki Kamiya believes Nier: Automata and Yoko Taro “saved” Platinum Games
Platinum Games has always operated in their own little corner of the game industry, but a string of bad reviews (for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan and Star Fox Zero) and bad luck (the cancellation of Scalebound) left the developer on the ropes earlier this year. Thankfully, their fortunes have been on the upswing in recent months thanks to the massive success of Nier: Automata.
Platinum’s Director, Hideki Kamiya, knows exactly how important Nier: Automata has been for the company’s bottom line. He recently wrote on Twitter that the game (along with it’s Director, Yoko Taro) saved the developer:
Nier’s success gave Platinum a different fan base, as well as a growing staff, a successful experience, an increased number of excellent employment candidates and immense benefits. Originally, I tried to do everything myself. It is a sad story, but Platinum was saved by Yoko-san. I can not thank him enough.
Nier: Automata was released for the PC and PS4 by Square Enix this Spring, and it’s an action RPG that features advanced cyborgs battling for control of Earth against a race of invading aliens. Even though it’s a sequel to a spinoff of a forgotten franchise, Nier: Automata’s distinctive visuals and wild universe resonated with gamers.
Platinum Games is currently hard at work on Granblue Fantasy: Project Re-Link for the PS4. A Western release for the game has yet to be announced.
Posted in News, PC, PS4
Tagged Nier: Automata
Rumor: Okami HD is in the works for the PS4 and Xbox One
Okami began life in 2006 as one of the last major releases on the PS2, and has since grown to become one of the most acclaimed video games of all time alongside re-releases on the Wii (in 2008) and PS3 (in 2012). But after talking to apair of retail contacts, Kotaku UK is reporting the game will likely come to the PS4 and Xbox One in December:
The evidence we’ve seen shows that two different European retail chains have recently added Okami HD to their internal upcoming physical releases calendar. Both retail chains are in different parts of the EU, and both list the game as releasing on 12th December 2017. The detail of the physical release is especially interesting, as the 2012 HD release on PS3 was only available as a download in the west (despite the Japanese boxed release featuring multi-region language support).
It’s easy to discount placeholder dates from retailers, but Capcom has shown a particular fondness for remastered re-releases in 2017. The publisher has re-released Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 and Mega Man 7-10 on new platforms this year, with Dragon’s Dogma and Resident Evil Revelations still to come. I have no trouble believing an Okami HD re-release is also in the works.
Sega releases Opening Animation and Launch Trailer for Sonic Mania ahead of tomorrow’s release
Sonic the Hedgehog is going 16-bit in his next adventure, Sonic Mania, and the retro-inspired platformer will be available to download for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on August 15. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Sega has unveiled the game’s Opening Animation (directed by Tyson Hesse) and a brand-new Launch Trailer.
Unfortunately, the publisher also announced (via Twitter) that Sonic Mania’s PC release has been pushed back to August 29 for “polish”:
Hi everyone,
In Sonic Mania, quality and attention to detail are some of the most important things for our team. We accept nothing but the best for Sonic Mania, and that’s why we want to spend a little more time to polish the PC version of the game’s release, which we plan to complete by August 29th. All other platforms (PS4, XB1, Switch) will still on August 15th as planned.
We know you’re all super excited to play the game on PC, and as a thank you to everyone has purchased the PC Collector’s Editon, pre-purchased the game on Steam, we will be unlocking Sonic 1 for free on your Steam accounts on August 15th. If you already own Sonic 1 on Steam, you’ll be given a gitable version that you can trade or send to a friend.
On behalf of everyone involved with Sonic Mania – thank you very much for your patience. We can’t wait for you to get your hands on Sonic Mania soon, and we hope you enjoy playing it as much as our teams enjoyed making it!
– Aaron
But in the meantime, be sure to check out Sonic Mania’s Opening Animation and Launch Trailer after the break. (more…)
New Retail Releases: Agents of Mayhem, Zero Time Dilemma PS4, Cities: Skylines PS4, More
Volition is up to their old tricks again this week with Agents of Mayhem, a superhero parody that’s set within the even crazier universe of Saints Row. Set to launch for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One this Tuesday, Agents of Mayhem is also a loving homage to Saturday morning cartoons from the 1980s.
Also available on store shelves this week is a PS4 re-release of Zero Time Dilemma, the final game in the Zero Escape franchise. Originally released for the PC, Vita, and 3DS in 2016, Zero Time Dilemma comes to the PS4 with high definition graphics and both English and Japanese voiceover options.
If you prefer to do your shopping at GameStop, you’ll be able to pick up their retailer-exclusive PS4 edition of Cities: Skylines, a city building sim from Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order, this week.
Finally this week, gamers will get the chance to purchase World to the West (PS4, Xbox One), a 3D action-adventure from the creators of Teslagrad; Rogue Stormers (PS4, Xbox One), a dieselpunk side-scrolling shooter; Sudden Strike 4 (PC, PS4), a real-time strategy game about World War II; and Troll & I (Switch), a 3D action-adventure about a giant troll and his human buddy.
We’ll be back soon with details on the newest additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged Agents of Mayhem, Cities: Skylines, Rogue Stormers, World to the West, Zero Escape Volume 3
Here’s the first trailer for Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2’s second episode
Telltale Games has announced the adventures of Jesse and friend will continue in Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2‘s second episode next week. So now’s the perfect time to unveil the episode’s first trailer, which introduces players to The Admin and The Arena:
Jesse and the gang survived the Sea Temple, but they brought home a little more than they bargained for: a lost adventurer, a powerful device, and a colossal enemy capable of grinding Beacontown to dust. There may be more to this fearsome foe than meets the eye, but to find out, Jesse — together with a few trusty friends — must embark on another adventure, this time into the icy unknown…
Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 – Episode 2: Giant Consequences will be available to download for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices on August 15.
Super Mega Baseball 2 release delayed until Spring 2018
Break out your old Three Stooges and a handful of Walker Texas Ranger episodes, Metalhead Software announced that Super Mega Baseball 2 has been delayed.
Originally scheduled to launch for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in September, the developer confirmed there’s more work to be done on the game’s features (most importantly, the online multiplayer) to make sure they’re up to snuff. Super Mega Baseball 2 is now expected to launch sometime in Spring 2018, when people are thinking about baseball again.
However, this delay also means that Metalhead will have extra time to “work on small features and pieces of content that had previously been cut out of our scope” and host a beta test for the game.
In the meantime, the developer called up a new gameplay trailer for Super Mega Baseball 2 focusing on Lineup Management. It’s been embedded above.
Metalhead’s full statement about Super Mega Baseball 2’s delay can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Super Mega Baseball 2
Indie Megabooth will bring 84 games to PAX West 2017
PAX West 2017 is rapidly approaching, and the Indie Megabooth recently announced (via their official website) what they’ll have available for attendees to play at the big show.
This year’s Indie Megabooth installation will include full-sized booths for 43 games, along with kiosks for another 24 titles in the Minibooth. And developers in the Tabletop Area will be pulling double duty. In addition to their spot on the show floor, all 17 games from the Tabletop Area will be playable at the ACT Theatre in an event that’s open to the public.
PAX West 2017 will open its doors from September 1st through the 4th at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. You can find the complete list of titles available to play this year in the Indie Megabooth after the break. (more…)
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged PAX West 2017, Tabletop Games
NBA Live 18 will be available September 15 with James Harden on the cover
EA Sports has announced that its bringing James Harden’s fantastic facial hair to store shelves and the cover athlete for NBA Live 18. Houston’s superstar shooter will help promote the game, which will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One on September 15.
“When I heard about working with EA Sports and being the cover athlete of NBA Live 18, I was pretty excited for the opportunity,” said Harden. “NBA Live 18 is all about creating your own identity and making your mark on the league, and I can definitely relate to that. If anybody knows about creativity, it’s me.”
Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus subscribers who want to try out NBA Live 18 before its released will get the chance with a special demo now available to download through each system’s digital storefront. The demo will feature a prologue to the game’s story mode, and any progress made will carry over to the full game:
In the NBA Live 18 free demo, players will experience The Rise, the prologue section of The One – an all-new way to pursue your legacy, centered on the player and defined by your choices. Progress made in The One during the free demo can be carried over into the full game, so players jumping in early can continue their experience when the full game launches.
Players in the free demo will also be treated to specially-timed Live Events – limited-time activities with special rules, rewards and characters, only available in The One. Rewards earned in weekly Live Events will also carry over into the full game, giving players reason to regularly come back and check out the new events in order to earn new rewards. The free demo rounds out with a Play Now experience between the NBA Finals rivals Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
Finally, EA Sports is offering a huge discount to anyone who pre-orders NBA Live 18 from Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Toys R US, or Walmart, as well as digitally through the PlayStation Store or Xbox Games Store. Everyone who’s willing to take a chance on EA’s first basketball simulation since 2015’s NBA Live 16 before its released will be able to purchase it for just $39.99.
Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged NBA Live 18